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Director's Message
June 25, 2004
To: DHS Employees
From: Gary Weeks, Director
1. Streamlining licenses and permits
As the new state e-gov Website continues to grow, we are seeing some highly effective uses of technology. One in particular is worth noting, because it so clearly supports the Governor's initiative on streamlining the state's regulatory practices — as well as DHS's accountability efforts as we strive for continuous process improvement.
It is the Oregon License, Permit and Registration Directory.
On this site, Oregonians can easily search for information about business or consumer licenses and can download application forms and instructions. In many cases, they can apply or renew online, or find the agency to contact for more information.
The directory currently lists more than 1,000 licenses representing 75 agencies, boards and departments of the state. It is also interconnected with the Secretary of State's Business Wizard and other valuable state information resources.
This has become a very well used site. In March, the various pages on the site were viewed about 36,000 times, and there were about 14,500 views of specific licenses.
DHS is well represented on the site. Health Services offers 48 different licenses, while Seniors and People with Disabilities (SPD) and Children, Adults and Families (CAF) offer 12 and 3 respectively.
Some of us may not think of DHS as a licensing or certifying agency, but as you can see by the numbers, we have many important responsibilities in those areas. Some examples are the licensing of adult foster care and assisted living facilities and providing official state certificates for births and deaths.
This site is an important step in our ongoing efforts to make it easy for people to do their business with the state quickly and efficiently.
2. The HIRE System
As you know, we are always looking for ways to further diversify our workforce and increase our ability to provide culturally competent programs and services to our clients.
I'd like to tell you about the HIRE (Hiring Individuals Ready for Employment) System, which allows state agencies to access a candidate pool of qualified individuals with disabilities for positions in state government.
Candidates for HIRE must be clients of either our Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services or the Oregon Commission for the Blind. Once approved for HIRE, their names will be matched with state positions that fit their qualifications.
When a state hiring manager pulls an open, competitive list of potential candidates, those HIRE candidates qualified for the particular position will appear on top. Managers are also able to request the HIRE list exclusively and hire qualified candidates directly from this list.
This will open more doors to employment for individuals with disabilities and allow our state government to create a more diverse workforce that recognizes and utilizes the talents of all people.
I'm pleased that, over the years, DHS has been one of the leading agencies in the state to take advantage of this system, and I'd like us to continue to do so. It is especially important given the work this agency does.
If you are a hiring manager, I encourage you to attend a short training session on HIRE, and to look for opportunities to use the system in your recruiting and hiring practices. Trainings are currently scheduled in July in Bend, Eugene, Medford and Salem.
If you would like to find out more about HIRE System or request a presentation at a managers' meeting, please contact Angel Hale on GroupWise or at 503-945-5857, or visit the HIRE website.
3. Nominations for Oregon Disabilities Commission Awards
While the HIRE System may help in terms of state employment, it is also important that we support activities that educate the public about the active roles people with disabilities play in our communities.
An excellent example of this is the work done by the Oregon Disabilities Commission's (ODC). The ODC is currently calling for nominations for its 15th annual Employment and Empowerment Awards. All nominations must be received in the ODC offices by Thursday, July 15, 2004.
I encourage you to look over the awards criteria on the ODC Website and consider nominating those whose efforts you feel merit this special recognition. You can also contact the ODC offices at (800) 358-3117 with any questions.
4. DHSuccess is a success
Our DHSuccess program received such an enthusiastic response last week, that I wanted to share some of the comments with you.
"'I am very happy to read about the campaign to support healthy lifestyles. I feel it is especially important for the state Health Services Division to exemplify healthy lifestyles."'
"'I think every office should have a few pieces of exercise equipment."'
"'I am so glad this is a priority for the Director….So many of DHS employees are baby boomers and if we do not engage in healthier lifestyles, we will be a burden to our health and long-term care systems as we age. Making DHS/HSB a more healthy environment is one step toward supporting those healthier lifestyles — making healthy choices easier and more prevalent. Thanks again."'
"'I read with enthusiasm Gary Weeks weekly message. You all are doing a great job in improving facilities and encouraging staff to exercise more. Thank you."'
There were also a number of constructive ideas submitted that could be used by all DHS locations statewide. Our Health and Wellness Committee is putting those together and will get them out to you soon.
And it looks like we will be able to bring Weight Watchers meetings back to this building. We're working on the details with them now.
Finally, we had almost 350 responses to our HSB Cafeteria survey on its first day alone, and a total of 447 after one week. That, and the response to the DHSuccess Program tell us that our employees are truly interested in achieving a healthy lifestyle. We will continue to do all we can to help you reach that goal.
5. Food for thought
"Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit."
— Napoleon Hill
6. Staff news
View the current issue of DHS Staff news on the Web.
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This message is intended for all Department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.
If you have a disability and need a document on this Web site to be provided to you in another format, please send an email to dhs.forms@state.or.us or call (503) 945-7021, fax (503) 373-7690 or TTY (503) 947-5080. If you know of others who need this accommodation, please let them know it is available.
Oregon Department of Human Services
Director's Office
500 Summer St. NE E15, Salem, OR 97301-1097
Phone: (503) 945-5944
Fax: (503) 378-2897
TTY: (503) 947-6214
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